Michigan communities are investing hundreds of millions to restore rivers, remove dams and transform waterfronts into places people want to visit. One study suggests such projects can deliver big economic benefits, but many communities only know the environmental and quality-of-life returns.
West Michigan
Posted inMichigan Government
A top Michigan clerk is quitting. She can’t take the voting lies anymore
This year, Sue Hartman was singled out by peers for excellence. But the Republican clerk says trying to convince her mostly Republican neighbors that elections are fair has taken its toll.
Posted inMichigan Government
Feds defend ICE officers in immigrant’s fatal Michigan car crash
The federal government is defending its officers after a fatal crash last weekend involving an immigrant in western Michigan. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has directed state police to investigate the crash.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Shifting sand is natural to Michigan’s dunes. How to cope is controversial
Great Lakes sand dunes, especially those on the Lake Michigan shoreline, are threatened by erosion and fluctuating water levels. But there’s disagreement on alternative approaches to effectively address the problems.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Court strikes Trump order that forced Michigan coal plant to stay open
A federal court ruled the Trump administration overstepped its authority when it forced Consumers Energy’s Campbell coal plant to keep running past its planned closure date. But for now, the coal will keep burning.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | The election story no one is telling
We should demand that our elections be accurate. We should ask tough questions when warranted. Accountability and scrutiny are strengths of our system, not challenges to overcome. But we also have to be willing to look at the process for ourselves.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan monitoring gaps mean many may unknowingly breathe unhealthy air
Michigan has just two monitors for the entire Upper Peninsula and no monitors north of Frankfort in the Lower Peninsula.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Residents and officials feeling powerless in Michigan data center fights
Town leaders say they’re powerless to stop data centers from moving in. And residents who’ve tried to recall officials over data center votes have struggled to get those efforts on the ballot.
Posted inMichigan Government
Jocelyn Benson picks Winnie Brinks as running mate in Michigan governor race
Democrat Jocelyn Benson adds an experienced legislator to the Democratic ticket by selecting Senate Majority Leader Leader Winnie Brinks as her running mate.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan counties, towns spend $30B a year. Could collaboration get more done?
Governors have repeatedly called on, cajoled and enticed Michigan’s 1,856 local governments to work better together. Locals say they already are, but experts say more could be done.
